Divine Timing 5
January 18, 2025
Divine Timing Part 5
Viking Cruises Chairman Torstein Hagen believes that time is the only thing you don't have enough of. He says," When you philosophize about life, you realize that time is the most precious commodity anyone can possess, so spending that time wisely is important." Torstein's answer to spending time wisely is to explore the world.
I believe he is right on many counts: that time is the scarcest of all commodities, it is vital to use it wisely, and one of the wisest uses of our time is to explore the world. But let's look at what this means regarding consciousness and spiritual growth.
Time is limited. Whether we live to be over one hundred, we all have a certain amount of time on earth. Those who seek spiritual consciousness may explore the outer world, but they do so by connecting outer experiences to their inner world of meaning and spiritual enlightenment — their soul. Exploring the outer world helps us reach spiritual depth. But regardless of how much we explore, unless our adventures relate to and deepen our souls, they are simply interesting experiences that supply enormous amounts of enjoyment and knowledge. A great many of us are completely satisfied by experiences which give enjoyment and knowledge. And this is fine. But these alone do not quench the thirsts of the spiritual life.
Spiritual exploration combines outer and inner experience. And when we can no longer explore the world physically, we can still explore the inner world of our soul. After all, this is the Kingdom Within. Many spiritual practices take us "down to the spring of our life." However, one that profoundly combines outer and inner exploration is the pilgrimage.
Filmmaker, teacher, and author of over forty books, Phil Cousineau, is the author of The Art of Pilgrimage. In this now classic work, my friend Phil explains the essential and critical differences between exploring the world and journeying in the form of pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is not just a trip. It is an intentional journey for specific reasons related to one's spiritual quests, questions, needs, and enlightenment.
A pilgrimage approaches the journey in such a fashion that the very things the pilgrim needs are prepared for beforehand in their hearts, minds, and bodies. They have eyes and ears to perceive what is revealed, their hearts are open to feel what they need to feel, and they embody the very experiences that take them toward wholeness.
On ICB's spiritual pilgrimage with Phil to Greece last year, I needed healing on a deeper level of grief I was experiencing then. Little did I know that in a small seaside village, I would have a personal conversation with one of our exceptional guides, Spyros Couveras who, out of the blue, told me a story I would never forget — a story that ministered to me like no other story I could have imagined. The story was about a phenomenal occurrence that happened to his aunt, who knew the lost, ancient art of repairing fishing nets. My heart, mind, and body still reflect on his healing story.
Maybe if I were just on a trip, I would not have taken the time to speak with him personally and would have stayed with the group. But instead, I could do nothing but savor my conversation with this dear man. During that conversation, time stood still.
Spiritual practice: Carve out time to drop into your heart and ask what your soul needs to grow. Listen to the answers regardless of how much time it takes you. Journal these answers and imagine a pilgrimage for yourself devoted to meeting the spiritual needs revealed to you.
Self-Inquiry: What would make you desire to take a pilgrimage instead of a trip just for fun and to experience new things?
Dear God,
For that man, I am so grateful. How could his story be the very one I needed to hear? And I hear your answer, "You are mine, and I told you a parable through your brother." Thank you, Dear God, Amen
